Other (Nothing To Do At All)

I see other people living their 'other lives'

outwardly they seem content

but we've all got issues!

They'll have their loves and losses 

worries and fears

other things going on

other things to do

other journeys to make.

Maybe they're happy with everything going well - life is good!

Maybe things are a bit tough right now

Maybe they're trying to work out just how to feed their family

maybe they've got bills they can't pay

maybe they're in dark times 

...maybe?

or maybe they've newspapers to buy and coffees to drink

or jobs to go to and money to earn

or horses to ride 

another new car to buy!

...or maybe they've got nothing to do at all

600,000 Miles

Man scrabbles through the chaos of his van, looking for something.

Whilst looking he fills a carrier bag with some of the rubbish preventing him finding,

whatever it was he was looking for.

Opening the passenger door of the van

a large empty plastic bottle falls onto the ground,

obviously one he overlooked!

Not sure if he found what he was looking for.

He tells me the van has done over 600,000 miles 

and with its somewhat battered look,

I tend to believe him! 

I note too that he has the same,

high mileage 

battered look about him.

Then he heads out once more

with a chocolate bar and a coffee

(staple diet of the men who deliver!)

to put yet more miles on the van,

...and himself

Beautiful Shiny Things

I like pretty things

shiny

pretty things!

See the radiance in my face when I'm near them

see how I am when I wear them

see how beautiful they make me look!

I am what the Magpie is said to be

...but isn't.

I like the glint of diamonds

see how they light my face

I like the colour of gold

and the sparkle of silver

see them light my eyes when I touch them!

Look at those shiny things,

those beautiful shiny things!

Roads

Black tar clad goliaths stride across the land!

On their backs 

creatures scurry here and there 

oblivious to all around

spitting out their noise and fumes

poisoning the humans that live around them

close to them

under them!

Hundreds and thousands of them!

Speeding

queuing

stopping

starting

fast

slow

small creatures carrying humans

creatures containing groups of humans

larger creatures carrying things for humans to feed upon

creatures carrying other creatures

tiny creatures carrying a single human

creatures pulling white boxes

in and around our communities 

scurrying here and there!

These creatures are relentless!

Do they know where they're going?

Who is controlling them?

Are they under control?

Where will it end?

When!

Scottish Street Names

Romford

Dreelside

Wadeslea

Shoolbraids

Kingslaw

Nethergate

Keilburn

Back Dykes

South Feus

The Toft

Back Gate

South Loan

West Brae

Kirk Gate

Bow Butts

Back Style

The Scores

Burial Brae

Lady Wynd

Friday Walk

Bortree Brae

Carlin Craig

Station Loan

Larkfield Neuk

Harbour Wynd

Routine Row

Peasehill Grait

Dick Crescent 

Birrels Wynd

Citron Glebe

Waulkmill Loan

Johsburgh Haig

Tarvit Court

Tolbooth Wynd

Castaway Lane

Upper Wellheads

Woodall Millbrae

David the First Street

Easter Currie Cresent

Falling out with Sat-Nav

*At the next junction turn left, right?

I mean turn left, OK. Just turn left, we're not going on a route march!

*I can see that you and I are not going to get on!

*No, it's no good changing my voice settings, I'll still have the same snotty attitude!

*Carry straight ahead for 10 miles, I need to go for a wee so won't be here for two minutes...

Right! I'm back.

Well tough. When a Sat Nav needs a wee, a Sat Nav needs a wee!

*No it was the second exit on that roundabout you needed, sorry,  I forgot to say!

*Turn around where possible. No the car, idiot! 

*At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit.

What do you mean there are only two exits, what's the point of building a bloody roundabout then!

*Don't you get shirty with me. If you're so brilliant at navigation, why have you got me!?

*In 1 mile, take the exit marked "Town Centre", keep in the right lane, two lanes out from the one on the left, the one with the very suspect road surface, then immediately turn left, stick the middle finger of your right hand up your left nostril and sing the "Star Spangled Banner!"

OK, so I might have made some of that up!

*You're lost!

*I'm lost!

*How am I supposed to help you get there when you don't even know where 'there's is!?

*Well turn me down why don't you but you're nothing without me!

*This is all going to end badly you know!